# NTSB LAX99LA118: Cessna 305A, N5188G, Coalinga, CA, March 13, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 13, 1999, 13:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Coalinga, CA - Coordinates: 36.18909, -120.389739 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1891&lon=-120.3897&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 2, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45906 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45906/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA118 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was familiar with the flight characteristics and operation of his conventional gear airplane. The pilot tried to perform a wheel landing on runway 32, but the airplane swerved. He then lost directional control and ground looped. The pilot reported that no mechanical malfunctions were experienced during the flight. The local surface wind was from about 090 degrees, between 3 and 5 knots. ## Factual narrative On March 13, 1999, at 1315 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 305A, N5188G, owned and operated by the pilot, ground looped and impacted terrain during landing rollout at the uncontrolled Harris Ranch Airport, Coalinga, California. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Tracy, California, about 1200. The pilot reported that he had recently purchased the conventional gear airplane, and he was familiar with its operation and flight characteristics. No mechanical malfunctions were experienced with the airplane during landing rollout on runway 32. Several airplanes had landed ahead of him without experiencing apparent difficulty. In the pilot's completed report, he indicated that the local surface wind was from about 090 degrees, between 3 and 5 knots. The pilot reported that he tried to perform a wheel landing, but the airplane swerved. He then lost directional control and ground looped. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5188G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5188G), registered now, S/N 22196, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 305A - Registry model: [Cessna 305A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-305a) (registry code 2074002) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22196 - Airframe hours: 14024 - Engines: Continental O-470-11-A 213 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Troy W. Cobb - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1998, 14 hours before - Departed: TCY, TRACY, CA - Destination: 308 - Airport: 308, Harris Ranch, runway 32, 2,820 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 381 total, 99 in this make and model, 294 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: NLC, 15 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19990313014609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990313014609A), Mar 13, 1999: Cessna 305A, Coalinga, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On March 13, 1999, at 1315 hours pacific standard time, a Cessna 305A, N5188G, owned and operated by the pilot, ground looped and impacted terrain during… ## Other investigations on N5188G (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB LAX01LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA128), Mar 23, 2001: Cessna 305A (N5188G), Winslow, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student's inadvertent restriction of the rudder pedal's movement during landing rollout precipitated the loss of directional control and ground loop. A finding was that remedial action by the CFI… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.